If you’ve ever lived in an older apartment or have considered purchasing an old home, you’ve probably heard of lead paint.
We love historic homes, but some historic building materials, like lead paint, pose a health and safety hazard.
Does that mean you should never buy or live in an old home? Absolutely not! However, it does mean you should educate yourself and bring your home up to current safety standards.
We’ve dealt with plenty of lead paint, so we’re breaking down the basics that everyone should know.
What is lead paint?
Before the harmful effects of lead were well-known, lead was used in paint for its beneficial properties. It helped with moisture resistance, increased paint lifespan, and sped up the drying process. These qualities made it a popular and revolutionary choice at the time.
The science surrounding lead and its toxic properties actually dates back hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that we started to see laws and regulations banning lead in paint products (crazy, right?).
Is there lead paint in my home?
Here’s a good rule of thumb: if your house was built pre-1978, probably yes. If it was built pre-1950, almost certainly yes.
In the past, we’ve found it on walls, painted on woodwork, and on hardware like hinges and knobs. If you want to be certain, you can buy test kits like this one.
Is it safe to live in a home with lead paint?
Many, many people live in homes with lead paint–including us! While you should always be cautious, you should be especially careful if you have kids under 6 years old.
Lead in paint becomes a problem when it flakes or rubs off. Inhaling or consuming these particles is what leads to long term health risks.
The short answer: as long as you follow state guidelines, yes, you can safely live in a home with lead paint.
In our home, we had lead paint on our woodwork, but we wanted to strip it down to the raw wood, so we very carefully removed it. We also had it on the original plaster, which we decided would be best left in place.
We explored all of our options, consulted with some professionals, and decided these were the best courses of action for us.
“When we work in homes with lead paint, we always tell clients that the most important thing is to be educated and informed.”
-Barry
Ok, there’s lead paint in my home, what do I do?
First, don’t panic! This is a pretty common problem, so you’re not alone. The most important thing is that you address it properly.
There are two basic ways to approach this issue: cover the paint or remove it.
Cover
Covering lead paint is a less labor-intensive option that still effectively reduces risk. We would recommend this option for walls and large areas.
To cover the paint, you’ll need:
- High-quality, lead-sealing primer
- Air filter
- Brushes and rollers
- Paint of your choice to go over the primer
- Proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks and gloves
First, make sure to follow all safety guidelines to avoid inhaling any lead particles during the process. It’s all about maintaining a sealed, clean environment.
Once you’ve cleaned your walls, you can apply a lead-sealing primer, also called an encapsulant. This type of primer seals up the lead paint so you aren’t at risk of flakes or dust in the future.
After you’ve applied the primer, you can go in with your paint color of choice. After your paint has dried, do one final clean of the area to get any residual lead particles.
Remove
Removing lead paint is more labor-intensive but offers long-term peace of mind.
However, we only recommend this process for smaller areas and details in the home. This is a more hazardous undertaking and it’s very important to be aware of necessary safety precautions.
If (and only if) you have the necessary experience, here’s what you’ll need:
- Chemical paint strippers specifically designed for lead paint
- Heat gun (but be cautious to avoid releasing lead fumes)
- Proper PPE
- Quality air filters to clean the air during and after the removal process
First, seal the area. This is incredibly important for your safety, especially with other people in the home. Be sure to ventilate the area with an air filter or window.
Now, prepare your surface by misting the area with water (to prevent dust particles floating in the air) and then apply your paint stripper. Remember, you don’t want to dry scrape or sand–you want to wet scrape after the stripper has done its work.
For remaining tough spots, use a heat gun on a low setting (below 1,100 F) and carefully scrape remaining paint.
The final step is to clean the space following state guidelines.
“When in doubt, bring in the professionals! Ultimately, it’s money you’ll never regret spending. Prioritizing your safety now will safeguard your future health and wellbeing in your home.”
-Jordan
How can I protect my pets, kids, etc.?
Prioritize areas that are low to the ground where children and pets are most likely to come into contact with lead paint. Be sure to regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces to avoid lead dust accumulation.
Additionally, encourage good hand hygiene–wash those hands, kids–and always, always use air filters in your home.
Stay educated and stay safe!
If you’re uncertain about handling the situation yourself, definitely consider professional lead abatement services.
By taking these precautions, you can enjoy the charm of your historic home without compromising on safety.
